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Fido’s Begging Habit

Does your canine buddy like to watch you eat? Fido is very, very enthusiastic about food. In fact, the sound of the refrigerator door opening can wake some pups out of a dead sleep! Begging may be cute, but at the end of the day, it’s actually bad petiquette. Here, a San Jose, CA vet discusses your dog’s begging habit.

Doggy Theatrics

We know, it can be hard to resist that sad, soulful stare. Fido has a way of wrapping his human buddies around his paws when it comes to food. In fact, Man’s Best Friend has entirely perfected that feed-me-I’m-adorable-and-I’m-really-very-hungry look that is so effective at getting us to share our snacks. Follow your vet’s recommendations for feeding your pet, and pay attention to portion sizes. If you know that your furry pal is eating exactly what he should be, you’ll be less likely to fall for his theatrics.

Obesity

Begging is, as noted above, bad doggy manners. It also likely plays a fairly large role in skyrocketing dog obesity rates. Well over half of our canine friends are overweight or obese! While your pooch may look cute if he’s a bit pudgy, you aren’t doing him any favors by overindulging him. Those extra pounds will increase Fido’s risks of developing some very dangerous health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes. If you really can’t resist your pet’s theatrics, offer him something healthy, like a carrot stick, instead of that piece of bacon he’s hoping to score.

Bad Manners

Dogs’ bad behaviors have a way of snowballing. Begging can, in some cases, lead to food aggression. Fido may also start snagging food from counters, tables, and plates. This is not only rude, it can also be dangerous.

Breaking The Habit

Is your canine pal a bit spoiled? There are steps you can take to break his bad habit. Keep Fido crated or in the yard while you are eating. Feed him before you sit down to your meal, so he won’t be hungry while he’s watching you eat. Simply telling your furry pal not to beg can also help. Just use the same phrasing each time, and be consistent. If you tell Fido ‘Don’t beg!’ one day, and the next day share your food, you probably won’t make much progress.